The European Union wanted to green agriculture, so the European goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 could be achieved. In fact, the agricultural sector is responsible for about 10 percent of CO2 emissions.

Tens of billions in subsidies were spent to make agriculture more environmentally friendly. Farmers who protected nature and biodiversity would receive extra money on top of the existing subsidy. Efforts were also made to reduce the use of manure.

Despite many attempts, European agricultural policy is just not succeeding in greening. Sometimes the subsidies even contribute to CO2 emissions. There is great resistance in Europe to stricter environmental standards and it is difficult to change policies. Agricultural policy is also not trying to reduce the livestock population, which is responsible for half of the greenhouse gases emitted.